34th Division Sustainment Brigade

Congratulations to Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. Raul Avalos-Mora, who was honored at the May 19 Chicago Wolves game. Sgt. Avalos-Mora is a Radiology NCO with the 709th Medical Co. and an Honor Guard Team Leader with the Illinois Army National Guard's Funeral and Honors Program. He deployed in 2020 with the 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment as a CBRN Specialist. Sgt. Avalos-Mora is shown with Wolves anthem singer Wayne Messmer. ILARNG Sgt. Adrian Guachichullca will be honored at the Wolves' June 3 Western Conference Finals game.

🇺🇸 Veterans, your next career opportunity could be waiting!
The Illinois National Guard is proud to partner with Illinois Department of Central Management Services to support those who have served. Join the Veterans Outreach Program Employment Workshop to learn more about building a career with the State of Illinois and explore valuable employment resources available to veterans.
💼 Explore career opportunities
💻 Virtual workshop
📅 First Tuesday of each month
🕐 1:30 – 2 p.m.
Continue your mission of service by taking the next step toward your future.
ServingIllinois

Congratulations to Illinois Army National Guard Major Karen Hernandez who received the Major General John A. Logan Patriot Award during Chicago's Memorial Day on May 23. Hernandez is the Executive Director of Chicago Veterans and a Medical Services Officer in the Illinois Army National Guard. A respected advocate for veterans, women in leadership and minority representation, Hernandez has dedicated her career to empowering veterans through community engagement, mentorship, employment resources and advocacy. Since enlisting in 2008 and commissioning as an Illinois Army National Guard officer in 2011, she has held key leadership roles supporting humanitarian missions, strategic operations and military medical initiatives both domestically and abroad.
Throughout her military and civic career, Hernandez has demonstrated a deep commitment to service and leadership development. She served as Deputy Commander for the Illinois National Guard COVID Task Force Testing mission in 2020 and later deployed as a Field Hospital Commander overseeing medical support operations across Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, where her unit, the 709th Medical Company Area Support, earned the Meritorious Unit Commendation for exceptional service. Beyond her military accomplishments, Hernandez has volunteered extensively with veteran and civic organizations throughout Illinois, served on numerous advisory councils and mentorship initiatives, and remained active in her community through youth coaching and volunteer teaching. Guided by the values of integrity, compassion and selfless service, she continues to advocate for veterans while helping shape the next generation of leaders.

May 13, 1968: The Soldiers of the Illinois Army National Guard’s Quincy-based 126th Supply and Services Co. are mustered into federal active duty for service in Vietnam. It would be the only Illinois Army National Guard unit activated for the Vietnam War.

Belvidere Officer Retires from the Illinois Army National Guard After Two and a Half Decades of Selfless Service
https://www.il.ngb.army.mil/News/News-Article-View/Article/4477655/belvidere-officer-retires-from-the-illinois-army-national-guard-after-two-and-a/

Welcome home 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion! We'd like to offer a special shutout to the last six Soldiers to arrive home. Those six Soldiers were stranded in an airport by a cancelled flight and didn't get home until the wee hours of the morning on April 15. https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2026-04-15/illinois-national-guard-232nd-sustainment-battalion-return-21385282.html

Welcome Home Soldiers!

Congratulations, MSG Danielle Valenta!

Please join us in congratulating Master Sgt. Danielle Valenta on her selection and assignment as Senior Logistics Operations Sergeant Major for the 34th Division Sustainment Brigade.

With more than 20 years of distinguished military service, Valenta brings a proven record of leadership across a wide range of demanding assignments, including first sergeant, battalion operations NCO, readiness NCO, platoon sergeant and multiple key logistics roles.

Her service includes a deployment to Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.